OFF2000: Cannot Use Pound Character in File Name for a Hyperlink

ID: Q202261

The information in this article applies to:

SYMPTOMS

When you create a hyperlink to another file, the file name that appears in the hyperlink text may appear to be different than the actual file name. For example, a hyperlink to a file with the following file name:

C:\My Documents\Book#One.xls

may appear as follows:
C:\My Documents\Book - One.xls

Also, when you attempt to click the hyperlink, you may receive the following error message:
Cannot Open the Specified File.


CAUSE

These problems occur when the name of file to which you create the hyperlink contains a pound sign (#).

NOTE: The pound sign is a valid character to use in a file name but is not accepted in hyperlinks in Office documents.


WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, rename the file with a name that does not include the pound sign, and then edit or recreate the hyperlink.

For more information about how to rename a file in Windows, see your Windows printed documentation or online Help.

To edit the hyperlink, follow these steps:

  1. Right-click the cell that contains the problem hyperlink. On the shortcut menu, point to Hyperlink, and click Edit Hyperlink.


  2. In the "Type the file or Web page name" box, type the name of the file to which you are linking. If you do not know the name of the file, click File, and browse to the file. Click OK.



REFERENCES

For more information about hyperlinks, click Microsoft Excel Help on the Help menu, type "Create a hyperlink" in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topic.

Additional query words: 2000RTMPublic OFF2000 


Keywords          : kbdta kbweb offweb 
Version           : WINDOWS:2000
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: May 13, 1999